Ryan Stach
Ryan is an active member of the Jack McGovern Coats' Disease Foundation. In addition to his participation in CAN, Ryan also serves as part of the Coats'-to-Coats' Mentor Program, helping others navigate life with Coats' Disease.
We caught up with Ryan to learn more about him and why the Coats' Ambassador Network is important to him...
What is your connection to Coats’ Disease?
I first discovered that I had Coats’ Disease when I was seven years old and I could see this dark spot in my right eye. After six laser treatments, the leakage was stopped and has been in remission ever since.
Why did you join the Coats' Ambassador Network (CAN)?
I went the majority of my life never meeting any other Coats’ patients, so when I discovered the Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation, I wanted to meet others that had similar experiences, given how rare the disease is.
Looking ahead, what are your hopes for CAN?
To continue to meet others with Coats’ Disease when possible and stay up to date on how research is advancing to find new treatments.
What kinds of things (work and/or hobbies) do you do when you are not volunteering to raise awareness of Coats’?
I work for Apple and am also a photographer for film and television here in Austin.
Who inspires you?
Several creatives inspire me to keep looking at the world a little differently - Olivia Nash, Bryan Minear, Matt D’Avella, Greig Fraser, Courtney Peppernell, and Tom Baumgaertel.
What’s something about you that not many people know?
Even though my focus in art is photography, I did win some awards for short stories while I was in high school and college and I still love writing.
Do you have a message you’d like to share with Coats’ patients?
Know that you aren’t alone. From the Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation and CAN, there are people here to support you through your journey. It’s something I wish I had as a kid and I think it’s super cool that it exists.
